Footsteps were rumbling inside TD Place — the sound of the city’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team warming up before hitting the ice.

Ashton Bell was one of the first players to step on the ice with more trickling in as the minutes passed. Today, they’ll be here again this time to play their second-ever home game against Minnesota.

Ottawa is in a good mood. Despite having only played two games, Ottawa is fourth in the league and a win over the first place Minnesota squad would jump them up to second place.

Head coach Carla MacLeod was upbeat about what’s to come against the North Star state

“There’s a lot of confidence in that group and they’re playing like it,” she said. 

Minnesota has 10 points in four games.

“I think it’s gonna be a great game. It’s going to be a back and forth. I’m looking forward to having them in Ottawa,” MacLeod said.

“When Ottawa shows up, they bring an energy unlike anything I’ve ever felt,” said Head Coach Carla MacLeod about the fans supporting the team. [Photo @ Devon Tredinnick]

MacLeod added how excited the team is to be playing at home again. She called it a privilege. 

The game comes after a dominating win against Toronto, when they scored a handful of goals against their Ontario rivals. MacLeod said a key to good offence is confidence.

“They’re such good players. If they just trust their instincts, more times than not they’re going to be in a pretty good spot.”

There are a number of Ottawa players in a good spot right now, in more ways than one.

Four players — Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Savannah Harmon and Emerance Maschmeyer — will take part in the National Hockey League’s (NHL) All-Star weekend. 

Jenner and Clark are forwards, Harmon is on defence and Maschmeyer is in net.

Jenner said it’s an honour to be part of the weekend.

“I think any platform for our league right now is great. We understand that responsibility as players, we want to see this thing be successful too.”

That said, both Jenner and Clark are focused on the now.

“We’ve prepared for them. We have a lot of respect for Minnesota as we do for any team in this league,” Jenner said. “We’re focusing on what we need to do to be successful.” 

Clark added that being in the All-Star weekend is a bonus worthy of celebrating. Closer to, it’ll be more front of mind, she said. For now, she’s concentrating on Wednesday.

“We have a job to do and we have a big game tomorrow.”

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